This is a parking place for teaching notes, resource materials and record of some of my reading and reflecting. When I read, sometimes I record insights but more often make note of questions and curiosities.

Context:Read Mark 8:22-9:18
to help understand the context of this passage.Read Mark 8:27-9:13 in a more literal
or more dynamic
translation than you usually use.

In this lesson we see the climax of “eight chapters”
of Christ’s ministry come to the climax of Peter’s inspired confession that
Jesus was the Christ, and we see the disciples struggling to understand what
that meant.

1.WS: (8:27-29) What
did Peter mean when he said that Jesus was “the Christ” (christos)?How did that compare to the popular opinions of
the day?

2.ID: (8:31-33)What
did Jesus say His mission was?Why did
Jesus say, “Satan,
get behind Me?”Why did Peter not yet
understand?

3.ID/CR: (9:1)When did
some of the disciples see the “kingdom of God” present with power?

Going Beyond:1.
Try an informal survey with some acquaintances.Ask them who “Who is (or was) Jesus?”Be sure to ask some clarifying questions (How did you arrive at that
view?What do you mean by _____?
Etc.)before you respond.Were the responses what you expected?How so?

Cranfield
concludes his section on this account by noting three main questions “(i) Is
this a legend or a piece of theological symbolical writing or is it historical?
… (ii) If then ix. 2-8 is in some sense a historical narrative, what was it
that happened? … (iii) What is the theological significance of what is recorded
in ix. 2-8?”1
We will begin with his answers, adding some modifications along the way.

1.Is this legendary or historical? Bultmann,
Nineham, Perrin, et al.
reject this story as true, calling it a legendary development of a
resurrection-story. However, it is unlike any of the resurrection accounts in
the following ways: (a) all of the resurrection appearances have Jesus being
absent to begin with, while he is present here; (b) he speaks in the
resurrection appearances and what he says is of great significance, while here
he is silent; (c) if this were a resurrection appearance by Jesus to Peter, one
might expect certain other features such as are found in the John 21 account; all such peculiar
features are lacking here; (d) Moses and Elijah never appear with Jesus in the
resurrection accounts; only angels appear in these pericopae and never with Jesus; and (e)
Bultmann’s suggestion does not account for Peter’s suggestion about the tents.

On the other hand, there are several
features in this story which give it the stamp of authenticity: (a) the mention
of ‘after six days’ which seems to lack symbolical force and thus must simply
be a historical note; (b) Peter’s use of the term ραββι,
which is never used of Jesus outside of the gospels, and within the gospels
only in pre-crucifixion narratives; and (c) Mark gives no clue at all that he
is giving us other than an actual historical account. (d) Second Peter 1:16-18 is Peter’s
own testimony to the historicity of this event (see NET Bible note there).
(Since, however, the authenticity of 2 Peter is doubted by many—including
Cranfield—it is rarely mentioned as evidence on the side of the historicity of
this event.)

2.Assuming then that this was an actual historical
event, what actually happened? Three options are (a) a vision, (b) a factual
happening, or (c) a combination of these two. Two factors need to be considered
in answering this question: First, we are reminded of Paul’s statement about a
man he knows (though this is likely autobiographical) who visited the third
heaven: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do
not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up
to the third heaven” (2 Cor 12:2,
NASB). Paul’s inability to distinguish a vision from a factual event in his own
life when it came to heavenly glory may well be a parallel to the
transfiguration. Second, although Cranfield says that the transfiguration was
meant for the disciples, if it was also meant for Jesus then this might
presumably color our assessment of the account. In light of the self-revelation
Jesus had just made six days earlier about his own suffering and death, and in
light of the parallel with the heavenly voice at his baptism being followed by
a major trial, it seems likely that the transfiguration would be equally an
encouragement for Jesus. The presence of Elijah and Moses with him in the cloud
would affirm his path to the cross and remind him of its necessity, for as Paul
says, “the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law
and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of
Jesus Christ… whom God publicly displayed as a mercy seat for sins…” (Rom 3:21-22, 25).

With these two factors in mind, what can we
say? On the one hand, if the transfiguration had meaning only for the
disciples, then whether it was a vision or a factual, sensory occurrence
matters little, since that same question remained unanswered by Paul regarding
the third heaven but the incident became a source of great encouragement to him
to press on (cf. 2 Cor 12:4-5).
At the same time, if 2 Peter is authentic (and I believe that it is), then
Peter’s own statement about the transfiguration is that it was more than a
vision; he treats it as a genuine factual, sensory experience (cf. 2 Pet 1:16-18). On the other hand,
if this event had meaning for Jesus as well as for the disciples—that is, that
it was meant to be an encouragement to him too—then it must surely have been a
factual event, for otherwise how are we to account for him being both a part of the
vision and a
recipient of it?

3.We conclude with notes on some of the
theological significance of the transfiguration. The following comments are
only preliminary; frankly, it would take years, perhaps a lifetime, to explore
the depths of the meaning of the transfiguration. (a) It symbolized and
foreshadowed both the resurrection and parousia. (b) It was a
temporary unveiling of the Son of God’s eternal glory. (c) That this glory was seen and not just
expounded on was so that “the disciples could taste in part what could not be
fully comprehended” (Calvin). That is, as the old Chinese proverb says, “A
picture is worth a thousand words.” (d) Moses and Elijah were a part of the
picture to show both continuity with the OT in the ministry of Jesus and his
own uniqueness and absolute authority (hence he alone wore the brilliant
clothing, and he alone is identified from heaven as the one to be obeyed). (e)
The cloud was a continuation of the Shekinah glory: the
presence of God has returned fully in the person of Jesus Christ. And Moses and
Elijah are there, silently endorsing him as the one in whom men meet God.

Our final two points are taken largely from
2 Peter rather than from Mark; they represent Peter’s own reflections on the
theological significance of the transfiguration. (f) The certainty of Christ’s
glory is transferred to believers: they too will glorified and this fact should
give them confidence as they face death (cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John
3:2). (g) The certainty of Christ’s glory also gives believers
confidence in him as a prophet and those whom he authorizes as prophets (2 Peter
1:16-21). In sum, the transfiguration is a part of the heavenly
glory that even the apostle Paul could allude to when he wrote, Λογίζομαι γὰρ ὅτι οὐκ ἄξια τὰ παθήματα τοῦ νῦν καιροῦ πρὸς τὴν
μέλλουσαν δόξαν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι εἰς ἡμᾶς (Rom 8:18).

3. The
commentators have multiple opinions about this, so don’t get too bogged down
splitting hairs.

4. This
question has two parts. First, is what does Mark record Jesus saying
about taking up your cross. Second, is to look at the comments in other
situations and Gospels. This discussion should lay out the objective
content to build on in the walk question two.

5. The article
in the Extra section might be of some help with this question.

WALK

1. This might
be a good an opportunity to have an “seekers” who might be attending share
where they are in their understanding.

4. I see
this as an opportunity for you to talk about the difference between “things of
God” and “things of man” and for the men to share how they place reminders
along the way to keep a spiritual perspective on things.

EXTRA

Dr. Daniel
Wallace, Senior Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological
Seminary, talks about the historical nature of the transfiguration, what
actually happened, and the theological significance.

Context:Read Mark 7:35-8:30
to help understand the context of this passage.Read Mark 8:1-26 in a more literal
or more dynamic translation
than you usually use.

1.ID: (8:1-3) What
response did Jesus have to the condition of the multitudes?What were his concerns?

2.ID/CR: (8:4-9) What
are some similarities and differences between this feeding of 4,000 and the
previous feeding of 5,000 in Mark 6:33-44?

3.CR: (8:10-12) How
many of Jesus’ miracles has Mark recorded so far?Why did the Pharisees seek a sign? (Compare with Matthew
16:1-4)What was Jesus’ response?

4.WS: (8:15)What
was Jesus saying about the Pharisees and Herod when he referred to leaven (zymē)? (After you have examined Mark, refer to the
parallel passage in Matthew
16:11-12 and a similar interaction in Luke
12:1-3)What did the disciples think
he was talking about?

Leaven: A lump of
old dough in high fermentation. As making it and leavening bread with it took
time, unleavened bread was used in sudden emergencies (Genesis
18:6; Genesis 19:3). It was forbidden in all offerings to the Lord by fire
(Leviticus 2:11; Leviticus 7:12). The Israelites on pain of death were to have
none in their houses or in the land during Passover for seven days, from 14th
Nisan (Exodus 12:15; Exodus 12:19; Exodus 12:39; Exodus 13:7; Exodus 23:18;
Deuteronomy 16:3-4). Salt was its opposite, and was never to be absent from the
altar burnt offering, representing the incorruptible imperishableness of
Jehovah's covenant. Honey as liable to ferment also was excluded from the altar
burnt offerings. Leaven reminded Israel of the haste with which they fled from
Egypt, and of their sufferings, which answer to the insipidity of unleavened
bread, "the bread of affliction."

Its
prominent symbolical meaning was, it is bred of corruption and corrupts the
mass with which it is mixed. Hence it represents "malice" (the evil
habit) and "wickedness" (evil coming out in word and deed) as opposed
to "sincerity" and "truth" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Jews
searched with extreme care their houses, to purge out every particle of leaven.
So Christians ought to search their hearts and purge out every corruption
(Psalm 139:23-24). It also symbolizes corrupt doctrine (Matthew 16:6). Another
quality is its secretly penetrating and diffusive influence: 1 Corinthians 5:6,
"a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," the influence of one
sinner corrupts many (Ecclesiastes 9:18); but in Galatians 5:9 a little legalism
mixed with the gospel corrupts its purity. Though elsewhere used in a bad
sense, leaven in Matthew 13:33 represents the gospel principle working silently
"without observation" from within, until the whole is leavened, just
as the mustard tree represents its diffusion externally; so "flesh,"
though usually in a bad sense, in Ezekiel 11:19 is in a good sense.

The
decomposition of social elements, accompanying and providentially preparing the
way for the gospel, makes the image appropriate. Leaven was allowed to be
offered in the firstfruits and tithes (Deuteronomy 26:2; Deuteronomy 26:12; 2
Chronicles 31:5), the Pentecostal loaves (Leviticus 23:15; Leviticus 23:17),
and the peace offering (Leviticus 7:13). See Leviticus 2:11 "as an
oblation of firstfruits ye shall offer them (leaven and honey) unto the Lord,
but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour." In Amos 4:5
the leavened bread was "with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of the peace
offerings," not with burnt offerings of animals on the altar. Perhaps
however the command is ironical, "offer by burning (margin) a sacrifice
... with leaven" (which was forbidden), your very offerings being open
insults to God.

3. By my count
there have been about twenty descriptions of miracles (Some are references to
many healed.) in Mark so far (including God speaking from heaven). It is
remarkable that Jesus was still being asked for a sign.

4. I have
included comments by Warren Wiersbe below.

6. The
commentators are rife with speculation about meaning and reasons for this
unusual healing. It might be enough to just note some of its unusual
aspects.

WALK

1. It is easy
to criticize how quickly the disciples forgot about the feeding of the
5,000. It fact some skeptics think this is a retelling of the first
feeding because it is inconceivable that the disciples could have forgotten
Jesus was able to feed thousands so quickly. Let’s take some time to
remember what the Lord has done in our lives.

4. I think it
is a challenge for us to admit or recognize that we have our moments of
spiritual dullness and lack of spiritual perception. If your men feel
free to talk about it, this could be a good discussion about seeing the signs
and precautions that the men find helpful.

EXTRA

Articles about
the metaphorical uses of
“leaven” in the Bible have been included in this lesson. This is a
reoccurring term in the Bible, and one that it will be helpful for the men to
know about.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s comments on leaven…

“In the Bible, leaven
is consistently a symbol of evil. Each Passover season, the Jews had to remove
all leaven from their dwellings (Ex. 12:18–20), and leaven was not allowed with
the offerings (Ex. 23:18; 34:25; Lev. 2:11; 6:17). Evil, like leaven, is small
and hidden, but it spreads and soon infects the whole (Gal. 5:9).

The Bible uses leaven
as a picture of false doctrine (Gal. 5:1–9), unjudged sin in the church (1 Cor.
5), and hypocrisy (Luke 12:1). In this context, Jesus warned them about the
teaching (false doctrine) of the Pharisees and the followers of Herod. The
Pharisees “said but they did not”; in other words, they practiced and
encouraged hypocrisy (note Mark 7:6). The Herodians were a worldly group who
catered to Herod, accepted the Roman way of life, and saw in Herod and his rule
the promised kingdom for the Jewish nation. If this false teaching got into the
hearts and minds of the disciples, it would infect them and pollute the truth
Jesus had given them to proclaim about Himself and His kingdom.

We can never be too
careful about detecting and avoiding false doctrine. Only a small deviation
from the Word may get into an individual or a church, but before long it will
grow and infect everything. Our Lord did not often say “Beware!” but when He
did it was important!”[1]

Monday, November 30, 2015

Those who reject the Lord will eat the fruit of their ways,
and that is a sad and meager diet.
Proverbs 1.29-31Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own
way, And be filled to the full with their own [counsel].

1. The general principle is that you will end up at the
destination of the people you are traveling with.
2. The specific warning is against the attractive and sweet, but immoral woman
who has not kept the covenant of her God. Outward appearance can be deceiving
and the wrong choice tragic.
Lord, help me pursue your wisdom and continue faithful to Your covenant.
Proverbs 2.16-1916 To deliver you from the immoral woman,
From the seductress who flatters with her words.17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. 18 For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead;19 None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life—

It seems sometimes that theologians see some of God's
attributes as moral and others as natural or non-moral. That may all be fine
and good, but these verses seem to point toward wisdom and knowledge that God
used to create the "kosmos" has having moral benefit to me. Big
thoughts, but I am thinking about them.
Proverbs 3.19-2219 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—Keep sound wisdom and discretion;22 So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.

One of the neat things to watch at my church is the way some
set up or clean up project has a relatively uncoordinated group of people jump
in and just get the job done. Doing things for people and around the church
like a bunch of ants busy taking care of business.
Proverbs 6.6-86 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 7
The admonitions to keep the law of dad near and dear seem a little over the top
to our modern ears...2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;Write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”And call understanding your nearest kin,...untill we see the competition.21 With her enticing speech she caused him to
yield,With her flattering lips she seduced him.

Right between verses on the value of wisdom and its
usefulness to rulers is inserted this defining thought.
Proverbs 8.13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.

Everybody is always talking about diets that help you live
longer and better.
Proverbs 9.4-6
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

One of the reasons the wicked are headed for trouble is that
they are not reliable.
Lord, make me diligent to follow through.
Proverbs 10.24-2624 The fear of the wicked will come upon
him,
And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no
more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.

These proverbs reinforce the importance of a generous spirit
and the blessings that come on those with that spirit.
Lord, give me an Ephesians 4:28 spirit.
Proverbs 11.24-26There is one who scatters, yet increases
more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells
it.

I don't think that verse four is a stand alone verse about
marriage as much as it sets the tone for the seriousness of the next three
verses that contrast the deeds of the wicked with the righteous whose
"house" stands on a solid foundation.
Lord, help me build my life on your foundation and be a blessing to my wife.
Proverbs 12.4-74 An
excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked are, "Lie in wait
for blood," But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.

A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she
dismissed them to go to church, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in
church?"
Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping"

Proverbs 13.18-19Poverty and shame will come to him who
disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.Again and again disdain for correction is a
hallmark of the fool.Lord, make me a good listener and
"repenter."

These verses appeal for a gracious, thoughtful attitude
toward our neighbors regardless of their affluence.
Lord, help me to see people with your eyes.
Proverbs 14.20.2220 The poor man is hated even by his own
neighbor,
But the rich has many friends. 21 He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise
good.

Harsh words that stir up anger are foolishness. The Lord
keeps watch over us to see who wisely defuses anger.
Lord, I want You to like what You see in me.
Proverbs 15.1-31 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Here are a couple things that righteous old people should
have figured out. Lord, give me Your self-control and understanding.
Proverbs 16.31-3331 The silver-haired head is a crown of
glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a
city.33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

The humble hunger for knowledge and understanding can save
us from some trouble. Lord, make me a humble listener.
Proverbs 18.12-1312 Before destruction the heart of a man
is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

I smiled today at the IVP Bible Background Commentary's
description of the Mark 7.24-30 Syro-Phonecian woman's faith as "holy
chutzpah." Lord, give me some of that.

Instruction that highlight's the "Lord's counsel,"
kindness, and the fear of the Lord puts children on a good trajectory for a
life that will please the Lord. These are also good benchmarks for adults to
think about.
Proverbs 19.20-2320 Listen to counsel and receive
instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD's counsel—that will stand.22 What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

The converse of this "wise saying" is to make
friends with temperate and wise individuals. I am thankful for people like that
God has put in my life.
Proverbs 22.24-2524 Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,
25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.

Lord, keep my heart and eyes faithful to Your ways.
Proverbs 23.26-2826 My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. 28 She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men.

Glee at another's misfortune regardless of how deserved is
always in bad form and is inconsistent with the Gospel.
Proverbs 24:17-18Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

An undependable and erratic person is more than just an
annoyance. Lord, help me be a reliable man with a good sense of how to
encourage and bless others.
Proverbs 25.Confidence in an unfaithful man in time
of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

The person who has no aptitude for wisdom is ill equipped to
safely handle the honor that comes with it. I'm thinking about why.
Proverbs 26.7-8Like the legs of the lame that hang limp
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

The heat of various trials will refine and purify a wise
man's character, and others will speak his praises. A fool on the other hand is
foolish to the bone and impervious to correction and lessons from experience.
Lord, grant me that that the genuineness of faith in and from You that will be
found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Proverbs 27.21-22The refining pot is for silver and the
furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him. Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle
along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

These verses describe a short sighted, muniplitive, and
completely unscrupulous individual who seeks quick gain through any means.
Lord, help me be the principled, faithful man (like verse 19) who values You
more than personal gain.
Proverbs 28.21-2421 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon
him.23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor
afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. 24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says,
"It is no transgression," The same is companion to a destroyer.

The simplicity and clear conscience of someone who doesn't
have to tip toe around his past offences brings freedom and joy.
Lord, help me to do right and treat even the poor right.
Proverbs 29.6-76 In the transgression of an evil person
there is a snare,
but a righteous person can sing and rejoice.7 The righteous person cares for the legal rights
of the poor; the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
(NET)

Proverbs 30.7-9
Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me
falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food
that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the
LORD?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

About Me

I am a follower of Christ, husband, father to three, and an associate pastor at a Tulsa Bible Church. It continues to amaze me that God has seen fit to undertake the process of molding me into the image of His son and find ways to use me in His service. I am blessed.